VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 01/15/08) - At a special meeting of the Board of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains (ABCRM) Jan. 12, Rev. Dr. Steven Van Ostran was unanimously called to the position of executive minister for the region.
For nearly five years, Van Ostran has been the associate executive minister for ABC of the Central Region where he also served as acting executive minister following the retirement of Dr. Fred Ansell. He is married to Debbie, an interior architect, and they have three children.
Van Ostran stated in his application that, "I was raised, licensed, and ordained as a Southern Baptist. This has given me a unique understanding of church growth, theology and holistic worship. I have chosen to be a part of and to serve American Baptist Congregations because I am better able to live out my faith here." His entire ministry has been in the American Baptist family.
At the Board meeting, Van Ostran was asked to comment specifically on why he was attracted to American Baptists. While there were several reasons, his response focused primarily on how American Baptists do missions. He believes the strategy of International Ministries to partner with the indigenous church is the bedrock of successful missions. Specifically, he cited the ongoing witness in Myanmar ( Burma) even after foreign missionaries were expelled.
Van Ostran received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1987. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Northern Baptist Seminary in Lombard, Illinois.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/